Hub structure of detachable wire-spoked wheels



- E. G. BUDD.

HUB STRUCTURE OF DETACHABLEVWIRE'SPQKED WHEELS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNEJI, 191s.

Patented Aug. 16, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

L fdwaro 6. Budd E. e. BUDD.

HUB STRUCTURE OF DETACHABLEWIRE SPOKED WHEELSL.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7.. 1918- Patented Aug. 16,1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- awn/1413M 5014 0/0 6. Budd 6 How Md UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD G. BUDD, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T IBUDD WHEEL CORPORATION, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF VIR- GINLA.

HUB STRUCTURE OF DETAOHABLE WIRE-SPOKED WHEELS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Aug. 16, 1921.

Application filed June 7, .1918. Serial No. 288,705.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD G. BUDD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county ofPhiladelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hub Structures of Detachable Wire-Spoked Wheels of which I declare the following to be a fuil, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to hub structures of detachable wire spoked wheels commonly em loyed in connection with motor vehicles.

he invention has for its primary object to provide improved means for coupling an outer or wheel hub to an inner hub for 00- incident rotation.

I It is the general object of the invention to provide such a means, as above characterlzed, which is simple in design and can be easily and expeditiously assembled with the hubs.

- With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure I is a central longitudinal section through a wire spoked wheel and the front hub structure on the steering spindle and shows an embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 11 is an inner end elevation of my improved hub coupling plate.

Fig. III is a side elevation of my improved coupling plate and the adjacent portion of the wheel hub, the plate and hub being shown separated to disclose the interlocking positions more clearly.

Fig. IV is a central longitudinal section through a wire spoked wheel and the rear hub structure on the rear axle and shows an embodiment of my invention.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to the structure shown in Fig. I, designates a front steering spindle upon which is mounted an, inner hub 11. This hub is of a well known type and has suitably threaded on its outer end the cap 12. The inner end of the hub 11 is formed into an enlarged exteriorly inclined or cone shaped portion 13, which portion at its larger diameter in this particular instance terminates in a radial flange 14 in which are rovided the openings 15, the purpose of which will later appear. A seating surface 16 is provided on the conical shaped portion. 13' in offset relation to the remainder of the exterior surface of said conical portion.

The wheel hub member is designated by, reference numeral 17 and is designed to telescope over the inner hub 11. This wheel hub 17 is provided with an annular inclined conical ortion or surface 18, the inner portion of w ich is seated on the cone shaped seating surface 16 provided on the inner hub 11. The wheel hub 17 is outwardly flared at 19 and the outer portion 19 inwardly pressed.

to provide a circumferential pocket 20. This pocket 20 accommodates the annular wedge 21 which provides a seat for the outer end of the wheel hub 17. The annular wedge 21 is suitably mounted on the end of the inner hub 11 and held in position by the cap 12, as clearly shown and described in Patent No. 1,299,400 issued April 1, 1919, on my copending application filed July 19, 1916, Serial No. 110,112, for detachable wire spoked wheels. In the outwardly flared portion of the wheel hub 17, the hubends of the outer spokes 22 are suitably anchored, the other ends of the spokes being suitably connected to the wheel rim 23. The inner end of the conical shaped portion 18 of the outer hub 17 terminates in the radial flange 24 which is. nearly perpendicular to the surface of the conical portion 18. The radial flange 24 has formed thereon a flange 25 which is parallel to the conical portion 18 of the outer hub 17. This flanged portion 25 terminates in a second radial flange 26 on which is integrally formed a flange 27 parallel to the conical portion 18 of the outer hub 17. In the flanged portion 25 of the outer hub 17 there are provided spaced openings 28 in which the hub ends of the inner spokes 29 are suitably anchored, the other ends of the spokes being connected to the wheel rim 23.

For couplin the outer hub 17 and the inner hub 11, provide a circular plate or member 30. The central portion of the plate is pressed to form a central bearing. sleeve 31 and an annular chamber portion 32 which is seated in the openin -33 formed in the inner end of the hub 11. etween the bearing sleeve 31 and the spindle 10 are suitably mounted the roller bearings 34. On the outer periphery of the plate or member 30 there is provided the outwardly extending flange 35. In this flange 35 and the adjacent flange 27 of the outer hub 17 are provided spaced openings 36, as clearly shown in Fig. III. The openings 36 in each flange are adapted to receive the tongues or teeth 37 of each other whereby the outer. hub 17 is connected to the plate or coupling member 30. A very tight fit is had between the interlocking projections and their adjoining surfaces form a, smooth cylindrical surface with the appearance of but one surface. Between the flange 35 and annular chamber 32 of the plate or coupling member 30 are provided openin 37 which are in registering relation with the openings 15 provided in the radial flange 14 on the inner hub member V 11. By means of the bolts 39 the inner hub 1 pling member 30.

member 11 is secured to the plate or cou- It is obvious from Fig. I that the annular wedge 21 holds the outer hub 17 in connected or coupled position with the parts 30.

The inner hub 11 is connected to the plate 30 by the bolts 39 as above described. The plate then is a coupling member between the inner and outer hubs whereby the hubs are held. to rotate together.

As shown in Fig. IV, the coupling of the wheel hub and inner hub of a rear wheel by the plate or member 30 is substantially the same as for the front Wheel hubs shown in Fig. I. The bolts 40 for the rear hub structure, however, extend through and are secured to the usual brake drum 44. Also the central portion of the plate 30 is differently formed from that used on the front hub structure. The central portion is pressed outwardly toward the hub cap to form a central bearing sleeve 45 and the annular ofl'set portion 46. Between the bearing sleeve 45 and the axle 47 is suitably mounted the ball bearing 48. Between the ball bearing 48 and the brake drum 44 I provide a circular member 49 having its middle portion 50 formed in the shape of a cup and a central opening 51 provided therein to accommodate the rear axle 47. In the cup shaped portion 51 of the circular plate 50, packing 52 is provided to exclude dirt or dust from the ball bearing 48.

From the above description and accompanying drawings, it is believed that my invention can be thoroughly understood. The invention provides a very strong and durable coupling between the inner hub and wheel hub and is adapted for use on either the front or rear wheels. Aform of locking connection between the inner and wheel hubs now common on the market comprises pins on one of the hubs projecting through holes in the other hub. It has been found in practice that due to the wear and strain on the pins and sides of the holes, the pins do not fit snugly in the holes after considerable use which results in relative movement between the inner and wheel hubs. In the present invention the interlocking projections on the coupling plate and the enlarged inner end of the wheel hub may be numerous and yet wide, and hence strong and durable and not liable to wear because'of the many flat surfaces these projections provide against which the'pressure of the wheel hub is exerted. It is also clear that the present construction is much stronger than one in which the interlocking projections would be arranged in a circle described by the conical seating portion of the wheel hub, as in such a case the projections would not be as large and strong.

I am aware that the particular embodiment of my invention, which I have here shown and described, is susceptible of considerable variation, and, therefore, I desire to claim. the same broadly, as well as specifically, as indicated by the appended claims. aving thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: I

1. In a hub structure, the combination of an inner hub having an enlarged inner end portion with a seating depression in the end surface of said enlarged end; a flange on the inner end of said enlarged portion of the hub; a coupling plate secured to the inner side of said flange and extending outwardly therefrom; locking projections on said outwardly extending portion; a centrally and outwardly pressed portion on said coupling plate, adapted to be seated in the seating depression in said inner end surface of the hub; a wheel hub, adapted to be seated on the inner hub and having an enlarged flange portion as an-inner end; and locking projections on the outer edge of the flange portion adapted to cooperate with the locking projections on the outwardly extending portion of said coupling plate.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of an inner hub, an outer hub removably mounted thereon, means for detachably holding said hubs in engagement, and a coupling plate secured to the inner end of said inner hub having a toothed flange, said outer hub having a flange at its inner end provided with teeth intermeshing with the toothed-flange, said coupling late having'a central cup formed therein and adapted to receive a bearing.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of an inner hub, a coupling plate secured to the inner end of said hub in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said hub, said coupling plate having a peripheral toothed flange lying outside of said inner hub and a central bearing cup, an outer hub mounted on said inner hub and having a toothed flange meshing with the first mentioned toothed-flange and means for maintaining said meshing engagement.

4. In a hub structure, the combination of an inner hub, having at its inner end a central depression in the end surface thereof, a

outwardly therefrom, the outer periphery of said flange being provided with projecting teeth, and said coupling plate having a cen- 10 tral outwardly pressed portion seated in the central depression in said nub, a wheel hub adapted to be seated on the inner hub and having an enlarged flange portion at its inner end, said flange portion being provided with projecting .teeth 'intermeshing withthe teeth on said coupling plate flange, and means for holding said hubs in engagement with each other.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

EDWARD G. BUDD. 

